Tag Archives: JC Raulston Arboretum

Playing tourist in your own hometown

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Two years ago, I shared a post with you about my first trip back to Raleigh after the big move to California. As I prepare for the same trip this year, I find myself eager to go home but anxious about not being able to see everyone or visit all the places I love. To my friends and family there, please know that I’d love to sit with each one of you for several hours and catch up. This trip simply does not allow for that luxury. I hope you understand.

I’ll see a few beloved people and eat biscuits and drink sweet tea, and that will have to be enough until the next time.

Trying to figure out which places I absolutely must visit while I’m there has me pondering: do you ever play tourist in your own hometown? What are the top three places you always take family or friends when they visit you? Is it a beautiful place? Something fun? Maybe a favorite restaurant or cafe?

I’d love to hear your top three must-see spots in your hometown or where you live now. Will you share them in the comments below?

In the meantime—though my Raleigh list would change each time I made it—here are my top pics for scenery, fun and treats.

For beauty, JC Raulston Arboretum

For fun, Pullen Park

For chocolate, Videri Chocolate Factory

I’m looking forward to hearing your favorite hometown tourist destinations!

Snapshots from home

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Plenty of folks may say you can’t go home again, and I understand what they mean. But I went home to North Carolina for a bit of rest a few weeks ago anyway. Here are some snapshots and brief thoughts of my visit home.

It’s hard to balance the need to rest with the desire to catch up with dear friends and family, and so I ended up not doing as much of either as I had hoped. I am slowly realizing that it may always be this way on the visits home, the pull of the heart to spend time with those I love and the pull of the body to rest and soak up the nature of this beautiful place.

The cows came up to the near pasture on my hike through this most favorite of places:

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I always love this view but especially when the field is full of cows.

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Fields of gold

I almost missed my chance at taking this hike, so busy hiking and running and walking in other loved places, but if I hadn’t gone, I would have missed the lilies blooming: Continue reading →

A love letter to my hometown, part 3

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Dear Raleigh,

I took off from the airport Monday morning and was reminded of why your nickname is “the City of Oaks.” Green was everywhere. Trees are the finery in which you choose to clothe yourself.

Thank you for creating such a beautiful space for your citizens and guests to enjoy.

Trees line your streets:

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A busy street made beautiful by trees blooming in spring

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Trees provide shade along the parade route for the St. Patrick’s Day parade (which is another event I love you for hosting).

Trees give shelter and shade along your many running trails and in your beautiful parks:

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At Umstead. I know, I know, it’s a state park, but it’s still attached to Raleigh. And it’s beautiful any time of year.

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Some tree roots I pass by almost daily … thanks for creating so many trails and saving green spaces.

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Fred Fletcher park, a lovely place to walk or sit and enjoy Raleigh’s natural beauty

Speaking of trees’ beauty, the art museum has fabulous grounds (and a running trail runs through it—the property, not the building).

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Manmade art framing a beautiful tree

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More art, beautiful fall trees

Trees live at the heart of my favorite place to visit in Raleigh: NC State’s JC Raulston Arboretum.

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So thank you, Raleigh, for the trees. I hope you’ll keep fighting the good fight with the state to turn the Dorothea Dix property into a city park. Your efforts make me love you even more.

Best,
One of your native daughters

PS – My new city is trying to win my heart, too. When I called to set up my utilities, they said I qualified for their tree program and could get up to 12 free shade trees. One whole dozen. So, Raleigh, you may need to step up your game and see if Duke Energy or one of the other utility companies would provide such a beautiful offer to your residents.